Executive Director of Development Specs Academy, Professor Okey Ikechukwu, says Nigeria’s presidency can be bought, linking the trend to declining voter conviction and the growing role of money in elections.
Speaking in an Interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, Ikechukwu said the influence of money in Nigerian politics has become dominant, weakening ideological engagement and voter decision-making.
“Yes, I have no doubt about that and I’ll tell you why,” he said when asked if the presidency can be bought.
“You have a much lower percentage of people who have conviction anymore.”
He added, “So, if it’s a question of buying the presidency, the presidency can be bought.”
Ikechukwu said the erosion of conviction among voters has shifted political participation towards immediate financial gain rather than long-term governance outcomes.
“It’s, let me carry something and go. I know I won’t see them in the next four years,” he said.
He noted that while financial inducement plays a significant role, it can still be countered through sustained voter education and ideological mobilisation.
“Unless you have enough time, power, ideological power to convince so many people that, listen, this money… belongs to you,” he said.
“Therefore, go and collect the money. It belongs to you. But vote somebody you know that will do good.”
Ikechukwu said changing voter behaviour would require deliberate efforts to rebuild conviction and promote issue-based politics, adding that such a shift remains possible despite current trends.
“If that kind of logic is brought in as the campaign… it is doable,” he said.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
